Politics

UN’s Holmes in Sri Lanka for crisis talks

April 26, 2009 (AFP) - UN humanitarian chief John Holmes was to hold talks with the Sri Lankan government on Sunday over the thousands of civilians caught in …

US envoy to Sri Lanka named to top South Asian post

WASHINGTON, April 24, 2009 (AFP) - A veteran diplomat most recently tasked with the delicate job of Sri Lanka envoy was tapped Friday by President Barack Obama …

Australia intercepts new refugee boat

SYDNEY, April 25, 2009 (AFP) - A boat carrying more than 50 refugees was intercepted Saturday off Australia's coast, little more than a week after an explosion …

Indian officials head to Colombo for talks on civilians

NEW DELHI, April 24, 2009 (AFP) - Senior Indian officials were due to fly to Colombo Friday to press the Sri Lankan government to protect tens of thousands of …

Sri Lanka ex-Tiger gets top ruling party post

April 24, 2008 (LBO) - A former Tamil Tiger who ran the group's arm in Eastern Sri Lanka has been appointed to a deputy chairman post in the ruling Lanka …

US says clock ticking for Sri Lanka solution

WASHINGTON, April 21, 2009 (AFP) - A US official warned on Monday that time was running out for a deal that he hoped would bring lasting peace to Sri Lanka as …

Britain wants swift UN Sri Lanka report

LONDON, April 18, 2009 (AFP) - Britain's Foreign Secretary David Miliband said Saturday he would ask UN chief Ban Ki-moon's top aide to report to the Security …

Australian Tamils call off hunger strike

SYDNEY, April 18, 2009 (AFP) - Tamil protesters who staged a seven-day hunger strike outside the Australian prime minister's home said Saturday they had ended …

Sri Lanka has chance to end conflict: US

WASHINGTON, April 16, 2009 (AFP) - The United States on Thursday urged an immediate ceasefire in Sri Lanka to save thousands of trapped civilians, saying the …

UN calls for pause in Sri Lanka fighting to allow aid in

GENEVA, April 17, 2009 (AFP) - The United Nations on Friday renewed its call for a pause in fighting between Tamil Tiger rebels and government troops in order …

Top UN official in Sri Lanka

UNITED NATIONS, April 16, 2009 (AFP) - UN chief Ban Ki-moon has dispatched a top aide to Sri Lanka to try to ease the plight of tens of thousands of civilians …

British, French FMs say Tamil Tigers using ‘human shields’

LONDON, April 15, 2009 (AFP) - The British and French foreign ministers said Wednesday that Tamil Tiger rebels in Sri Lanka are using civilians as human …

Tamils protest outside Australian PM’s residence

SYDNEY, April 13, 2009 (AFP) - Hundreds of Tamil protesters staged a rally outside Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's official Sydney residence Monday …

Sri Lanka strips Norway of peace-broker role: official

April 13, 2009 (AFP) - Sri Lanka on Monday stripped Norway of its role as broker of the island's moribund peace process, a government official told AFP. online …

Tamil protestors storm Sri Lankan embassy in Norway

OSLO, April 12, 2009 (AFP) - A group of Tamil protesters stormed the Sri Lankan embassy in Oslo Sunday, police said, on the fifth day of demonstrations in the …

Rights group slams Sri Lanka over murder probe

April 9, 2009 (AFP) - An international media rights group said Thursday there was a "lack of political will" in Sri Lanka to identify the killers of an …

Scuffles as British police end all-night Tamil demo

LONDON, April 7, 2009 (AFP) - British police moved in Tuesday to end an overnight protest by Tamils over alleged rights abuses in Sri Lanka, triggering brief …

UN urged to act over jailed Sri Lankan reporters

March 18, 2009 (AFP) - A media rights group on Wednesday urged the United Nations to intervene on behalf of two Sri Lankan journalists being held on charges …

Media rights group presses Sri Lanka

WASHINGTON, March 7, 2009 (AFP) - A rights group on Friday urged Sri Lanka to thoroughly investigate recent attacks against the media, saying it was …

Sri Lankan conflict due to ‘repressive’ govts: Canada

OTTAWA, March 5, 2009 (AFP) - The 37-year conflict raging in Sri Lanka was borne out of "repressive" governments in Colombo, Canadian Minister of State for …